SSR Questions

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Everyone:

My husband and I will be staying at SSR in May 2011 via. RCI exchange. This is our first time staying on property and at this resort. We traded into a two bedroom villa.

I spoke to a Castmember a few weeks ago and she indicated that any requests we have I should contact the resort ten days prior to check-in. Nothing is guaranteed but it will be noted on our reservation.

My husband has back/hip issues and I'm hoping to get into the Grandstand section due to the location and closeness to the bus stop, pool, boat to DTD, etc. From viewing the SSR property map I noticed that unit numbers 8101-8436 and 8501-8836 seems to be the best sections. Also we like the first on/first off the bus so my husband is guaranteed to have a seat.

Since I'm not familiar with this resort I do have questions for those of you that have stayed there.

1 ~ Do you think the Grandstand will be the best section for us based on my husband's health issues?

2 ~ If the Grandstand is not available, what other section should I request?

3 ~ What are the pool hours for the month of May?

4 ~ What kind of views would we have from the two areas that I'm requesting to get in? Any suggestions?

5 ~ If we can't get a third floor unit, can you hear noise from the unit above you?

6 ~ If anyone traded into SSR via. timeshare exchange, is there anything I should know about (what's included, not included, services, etc.)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I'm sorry for the many questions.

Overall, we are here to celebrate our anniversary (a few months earlier) and looking for some quiet time when we are not at the parks. We enjoy sitting outside and having a nice view would be great. We plan on renting a car for one day to see the area outside of WDW, go grocery shopping, etc. Other than that we'll be using the Disney transportation system.

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you traded through RCI into DVC, you should be able to call DVC Member Services to make your requests. You should have that number on your reservation.

It's true that the GS is the first stop, but the bus could already be filled with people getting off the bus, so you would probably get a seat, but not when you board if you get what I am saying.

SSR is a great resort to just sit, walk around and visit. We like getting up early in the morning and walking around checking out the birds, small animals, etc. It's very restful. We've stayed in the Springs and at Congress Park. Both had very nice views. It was an easy walk to DTD from Congress Park and we never had a problem getting a seat on the bus at the Springs.

Pool hours are pretty much about 9AM to dark. We liked the Congress Park pool because it was a quiet pool and you could look out at DTD from the pool. GS has a themed pool, so there should be lots of families swimming there.

You can find out more about SSR on the DVC Boards. The spa is great.

 

[chalee94]

6 ~ If anyone traded into SSR via. timeshare exchange, is there anything I should know about (what's included, not included, services, etc.)?

i haven't traded myself, but you probably already know there is a $95 resort fee for exchanges in. housekeeping in a limited form will come on the 4th day to remove trash and exchange towels.

i agree with the above poster - don't bother trying to call the resort directly, just call member services.

i wouldn't be surprised if DVC were primarily depositing carousel units in RCI, so while a request is fine, don't be shocked if that's where you end up.

 

[addiln]

we just got back from SSR. It was a great resort and very laid back. Hope you enjoy

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hello and thank you all for your responses, it's greatly appreciated.

I've been on the phone for over an hour and didn't get too far. From what I gathered... SSR has our reservation in the system but there is no reservation number. Due to this being a timeshare exchange via. RCI... the confirmation is provided with our last name but not affiliated with a number. I contacted RCI and they couldn't assist. I called DVC and since we are going in on an exchange they weren't able to help so I was transferred to another dept. Not sure where I ended up but I was on hold for 15 minutes and got disconnected. So... I called WDW and the castmember couldn't assist since the site is in the process of being upgraded. He tried his best, gave me some tips, etc. and asked for me to call back later today or tomorrow.

The Springs/Congress Park looks like another good option if the Grandstand isn't available.

When I spoke to the castmember at SSR, she informed me that since we are going in May, our chances at our requests being granted may be in our favor (since it's not high peak season) but of course no guarantees. I have to call ten days prior with our requests and hope for the best when we check in. Due to my husband having issues, she said that they really try to accommodate those that have medical needs. If we don't end up in those sections then we'll make it work.

I'm aware of the $95 resort fee which is fine. Looking forward to the service but I may have a glitch... We are trying to trade onto property with a second week and spend two weeks on site. I have an active Ongoing with RCI for four resorts so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If not... I have to contact Magical Express and see if anything can be done if we aren't on property the second week.

Looking forward to staying at SSR since we will enjoy the peace/quiet.

If you have any other suggestions it would be appreciated.

Thanks again!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I see a 2 BR at SSR available for the week of May 14 and May 21 on RCI right now. I'm not sure what week you are looking for....

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Shannon:

Thank you very much for informing me of the availability. We are currently staying at SSR from the 14-21 so I'm hoping to get another exchange from the 21-28. I just checked RCI with the timeshare we are trying to exchange and I don't see available units for the 21. Most likely it's due to the resort we are trying to use to trade in. Thanks so much and have a wonderful evening!

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Shannon:

I just did a thorough search on RCI and I do see the two weeks that you indicated in your previous message. Due to the recent upgrades on RCI... I'm not able to view the Ongoing Searches that I have active. I reported this twice to RCI and they are in the process of fixing the bug. If a unit did become available they would contact me via. email and will call me to confirm the unit. What is bothering me that a two bedroom unit is available for the week I'm trying to get into and we are using a two bedroom resort for the trade.

Due to the recent changes with RCI and noticing the new "trading power points"... that may be why we don't have the unit. Since this point system is new I still have to get a better understanding on how it works. The other timeshare we used to get into SSR was a two bedroom unit, red week, silver crown and was located in the Caribbean. The one we are trying to exchange into now is a two bedroom, red week, silver crown but located in South Carolina. From looking at the new "trading power points" we are just about equal in points so I don't get it.

I tried calling RCI but they are closed so I'll be calling them in the morning to try to get a better understanding on why we weren't able to obtain that unit. It's a learning experience but I'm stressing over it.

Thanks so much for the heads up... it's greatly appreciated!!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Hi Shannon:

I just did a thorough search on RCI and I do see the two weeks that you indicated in your previous message. Due to the recent upgrades on RCI... I'm not able to view the Ongoing Searches that I have active. I reported this twice to RCI and they are in the process of fixing the bug. If a unit did become available they would contact me via. email and will call me to confirm the unit. What is bothering me that a two bedroom unit is available for the week I'm trying to get into and we are using a two bedroom resort for the trade.

Due to the recent changes with RCI and noticing the new "trading power points"... that may be why we don't have the unit. Since this point system is new I still have to get a better understanding on how it works. The other timeshare we used to get into SSR was a two bedroom unit, red week, silver crown and was located in the Caribbean. The one we are trying to exchange into now is a two bedroom, red week, silver crown but located in South Carolina. From looking at the new "trading power points" we are just about equal in points so I don't get it.

I tried calling RCI but they are closed so I'll be calling them in the morning to try to get a better understanding on why we weren't able to obtain that unit. It's a learning experience but I'm stressing over it.

Thanks so much for the heads up... it's greatly appreciated!!!

I looked this morning and the 2BR on the 21st is now gone. Hope you get your trade! We are looking to trade 2 weeks next fall via RCI Points (which has more DVC availability than weeks). I see what I want, but trying to convince DH he won't actually melt if we move our trip to early September (he's already agreed to late September or October).

 

[Debbie Jean]

If DH has mobility issues and being near a bus stop is a primary concern, then I would ask for that specifically... GS is fine is you are in a building close to the stop, but a hike if you are in one of the buildings further away... true for all sections, I suppose really...

Springs is near the main pool, food, etc. but is the last stop before buses exit to the parks... depending on what time of day you are going, it may be full by the it gets there... happens more often than not in the AM.

CP has some of the best views over the water to DTD and a wonderful quiet pool The only section I can honestly say I don't like is Carousel, though I have to say I got a room right by the bus stop there I'm sure my opinion will improve once they open the new pool complex next year

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Shannon:

I was on the phone with RCI at 7am to find out why I wasn't able to obtain the 2BR SSR via. exchange. Apparently, the timeshare we are currently using with the Ongoing Search to trade into does not have enough "trade point value" to obtain it. After an hour call with RCI to inform them about the bug on their site, learning how this new system works with the "trading point value", etc. I ended up losing that unit. In order for DH/I to get a second week on WDW property, I had to combine two of our timeshares to increase the "trading point value". So after several more phone calls, pacing the floors, pulling my hair out, spending more money, etc. we now have a new exchange with RCI. Besides SSR we have a search for three more WDW resorts. Hopefully one will become available for our second week. If we have to change resorts that's fine but priority is getting a second week on property. So now I keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. I was so frustrated last night that I got two hours sleep.

I hope you can convince hubby to go to WDW a little earlier next year. Not sure if there's a huge difference in temp. between the beginning/ending of Sept. Check airfares and see if there is a difference in price. If so... that could be an incentive to go a little sooner. Good luck and I hope your vacation plans works out!

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Debbie Jean:

Thank you very much for the tips on SSR. Being close to the bus is priority since it will help DH. Since we are going to be doing a lot of walking on this vacation, the extra steps he can save would benefit him. If the other requests could be fulfilled that would a bonus. Since this is our anniversary vacation I'm trying my best to make it extremely special for us.

How long is the walk from GS and CP to the main pool area and water taxi? From viewing the property map it appears that CP is further away. I like the option of the view of DTD/lake from CP since we plan on sitting on our balcony as much as possible. So many options to look into.

I guess the best bet would be GS, Springs or CP due to the location, view, bus stops, water taxi, etc. Quiet pool would be a plus since it's only the two of us traveling.

Thanks again for your help!